1.
model; miniature; prototype
A small-scale model or miniature version of something, used as a reference or sample.
城の雛形を作った。
I made a model of the castle.
この建物の雛形は博物館に展示されている。
A miniature model of this building is displayed in the museum.
江戸時代の町の雛形が精巧に再現されていて、見ごたえがあった。
A miniature of an Edo-period town was recreated in exquisite detail, and it was well worth seeing.
2.
template; standard form; boilerplate
A pre-made format or standard document used as a starting point. Common in business and administrative contexts for contracts, letters, and other documents.
契約書の雛形をください。
Please give me a template for the contract.
この雛形を参考にして書類を作成してください。
Please use this template as a reference when preparing the documents.
会社では報告書の雛形が用意されているので、新人でもすぐに書ける。
The company provides report templates, so even new employees can write them right away.
Originally from 雛 (chick; miniature) + 形 (shape), suggesting a small copy of the real thing.
SENSE 1 (model):
Refers to physical miniatures or scale models. This is the older, more traditional meaning.
SENSE 2 (template):
The dominant modern usage, especially in business. Refers to standardized document formats.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 契約書の雛形 (contract template)
- 報告書の雛形 (report template)
- 雛形を作る (create a template/model)
SIMILAR WORDS:
テンプレート is the loanword equivalent for sense 2 and is increasingly common, especially in IT contexts. 見本 (sample) overlaps with sense 1 but emphasizes something shown as an example rather than a scaled-down replica.